Desert and Hidden Monasteries

Departure at 9:00 am at your hotel in Tbilissi. We drive to the horse place. Around one hour drive.
Preparation of the horse. We take our horses and tackle them. We start our ride at around 12/13h in direction of the border with Azerbaidjan. 

We discover the first landscapes which bring us slowly in to the semi desert area. We enter in a secluded zone, a different planet. We set up the camp close to a former water reservoir which offers surprising landscapes.

Riding: 5-6 hours, trot/gallop is possible

Overnight: camping

After breakfast, we prepare our horses. We go forward in a beautiful valley ride through some old soviet farms. Then we ride up on a ridge which offer incredible landscapes over the area and discover very ancient city on our way. We ride down and see some beautiful reddish rocks erosion. 

Later on we reach an abandoned cave dweller city. We visit and go on the ridge above (on foot). Then we visit the beautiful monastery of Natlismtsemeli from the 6th century and its huge 11th century church carved in the rock. We go on and set up the camp

Riding: 6-7 hours, trot/gallop is possible

Walking: 1 hour (may be skipped)

Overnight: camping

Today we ride to the very well known David Gareja monastery. 

The complex was founded in the 6th century by David (St. David Garejeli), one of the thirteen Assyrian monks who arrived in the country at the same time. His disciples Dodo and Luciane expanded the original lavra and founded two other monasteries known as Dodo's Rka (literally, "the horn of Dodo") and Natlismtsemeli ("the Baptist »). From the late 11th to the early 13th centuries, the economic and cultural development of David Gareja reached its highest phase, reflecting the general prosperity of the medieval kingdom of Georgia. The monastery suffered a lengthy period of decline and devastation first by the Mongol army (1265) and the Safavid attack of 1615, when the monks were massacred. Some restorations have been undertaken by different kings. After the violent Bolshevik takeover of Georgia in 1921, the monastery was closed down and remained uninhabited. Then from 1991 some monks came again into the monastery. 

We park our horse and visit the site. Then we explore riding the valley which is a labyrinth of eroded coloured mountains. Hidden old cities are everywhere here. We visit some of them. Depending on the time we ride forwards to the crest giving outstanding views all over the desert. We ride across the very long and endless plain which gives you a feeling of immensity.

Riding: 6-7 hours, trot/gallop is possible

Walking: 30mn / 1h

Overnight: camping

Then we suddenly ride down into some eroded valleys that you could not imagine 1 minute ahead.
After having ridden across there we ride up and stay on the ridge for a long time. From that point we can admire the snowcapped Great Caucasus Mountains, the great depression of Vaschlovani desert.

We visit amazing abandoned monasteries with old frescoes. By the end of this long day we reach the oasis of this trip. We camp into the IORI rivers ecosystem full of trees and birds.

Riding: 7-8 hours, trot/gallop is possible

Walking: sometimes, a little

Overnight: camping

We ride in arable valleys, discover the lonely soviet oil pump. We enjoy the beautiful landscapes on the Great Caucasus Mountains.
We ride through the old soviet ghost village UDABNO.
We continue in a long and green valley surrounded by canyons.

Riding: 7-8 hours, trot/gallop is possible

Walking: sometimes, a little

Overnight: camping

Our last riding day brings us through hills offering beautiful views on the Gombori range. We cross our last but impressive canyons and reach the salty lakes. We reach the farm around 4pm. Then we farewell our horses and are driven back to Tbilisi.
We have a last diner together.

Riding: 5 hours, trot/gallop is possible

Walking: sometimes, a little

Overnight: hotel.

Transfer to the airport. If your flight departs before 8 pm then a transfer is provided. However, for later flights, you'll need to take a taxi.

Riding: No riding.